London to Paris
 

Flying American to London in late March and need to get a flight to Paris. We arrive at Heathrow at about 1pm mid-week. How much time should we allow for scheduling the flight to Paris? Not having purchased the flight to Paris yet, I don't know which airline we'll end up using. Reading your posts, though, it looks like we may need to get to a different terminal. Thanks for your help.

It might be easier to take the Eurostar. I took it from London to Paris a couple of years ago. I believe it was 2 hours and 25 minutes and an enjoyable trip

Madison: It would not be easier to take the Eurostar. Sure the train only takes 2.5 hours - however one needs to get all the way across London to Waterloo International Station. There is no direct transport link between LHR and Waterloo. If one was leaving from central London, then take the Eurostar - but from LHR - fly.

We have 2 current threads going right now where 20+ of us have taken 3 days to convince someone that she should fly from LHR to CDG - and now we have someone opening that mess again.

kat12: It will be MUCH easier to fly from LHR. But how long you need between flights is really your own decision. I would not be happy w/ less than 3 hours, maybe 2.5 hours minimum. Not because it would take 3 hours, but because if anything goes wrong your onward tickets would be useless (since they are a separate booking)

Who are you flying in to LHR. BA will not interline luggae w/ mostr any other carriers so that means you would have to factor in retrieving your bags and re-checking them.

sorry about the typos . . .

You will be at an airport. Why on earth would you want to go (via any means, i.e. car service, taxi, tube) into central London to take the Eurostar? It makes no sense at all. If you were already in central London, then fine, but you will be at Heathrow. It's a no-brainer Take a Plane.

Do not get fooled into thinking some of the "other airports" around London will offer cheaper flights. They might, BUT getting to those airports will be shear hell - so, since you are at Heathrow, stay there, take a flight and you will be just fine. Going anyplace else entails dragging luggage around (up and down stairs, escalators, etc.) Fun ? No !! :-)

Forgot to add, I'd suggest 3 hrs. transfer time as well. You never know what will happen and it's good to have a little extra time if needed. Better safe then sorry when it comes to plane travel these days.

This is off the subject somewhat... but I "think" I read the other day that the Eurostar will soon be leaving and coming into VICTORIA station instead of Waterloo . Does anyone know for sure? That would be better, it seems. Guess I could do my research on it at the Eurostar web site, but it might be "in the future'' and not publized yet. Thanks!

No, late next year the Eurostar will be going north to St Pancras - not Victoria.

Eurostar moves to St. Pancras in Nov. 2007 (if everything goes according to the timeline).

JanisJ - I didn't read all 20 other posts regarding this situation. I only read this one. I was only trying to be helpful, not cause a "mess" as you stated. I was speaking from experience that is why I offered my opinion. I thought the purpose of this board was to try and help others.

Madison - my point was that it makes almost no sense (at all) to race across London from LHR to Waterloo to catch the Eurostar when you can fly right from LHR. Now, as some of us mentioned - it would be an entirely different kettle of fish if one was already IN central London (as I suspect you were when you took the train). Then the Eurostar is a no-brainer. But from LHR - not do much . . . .

Flying from LHR involves security checks, baggage check-in, plus numerous Gallic indignities perpetrated on the other end - plus getting from the airport to downtown Paris.

For me, the train to Waterloo and Eurostar to Gare du Nord (with luggage in hand) is the no-brainer. I like trains. I despise airports. So it's very subjective, as you can see.